Bangladesh Travel Guide

Bangladesh — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

In someone's home it is acceptable to sit crossed-legged on cushions or the sofa. If a visitor wishes to bring a gift, money must not be given as it may cause offense. Religious customs should be respected by guests. There are severe penalties for possession and trafficking of illegal drugs. Some drugs-related offenses are punishable by death. Local women should not be specifically photographed unless it is certain that there will be no objection. Women should wear trousers or long skirts; revealing clothes should be avoided, particularly when visiting religious places. Dress is generally informal for men, though modesty must be maintained. Same-sex relations are illegal.

Photography: In rural areas, people are becoming more used to tourists; however, permission should be requested before photographs are taken of individuals. Do not photograph military installations.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG) (www.biman-airlines.com).

Departure Tax

BDT800-2,500 depending on destination.

Main Airports

Dhaka International (DAC) (Zia International). The airport is 20km (11 miles) north of the city (journey time - 45 minutes). To/from the airport: Biman Bangladesh coaches run regularly in both directions. Taxis and Parjatan coaches are also available. Facilities: Restaurants, post office, banks, duty-free shops and car hire.

Other international airports include Chittagong (CGP) (Shah Amanat International Airport) and Syhlet (ZYL) (Osmani International Airport).

Getting There By Water

The main seaport is Chittagong. Currently, there no international passenger routes to and from Bangladesh.

Getting There By Rail

A direct, twice-weekly Kolkata to Dhaka service was reintroduced in 2008. For other non-direct rail connections, cycle-rickshaw, bus or porter services provide the cross-border connections.

Getting There By Road

Overland crossings include the Benapol-Haridispur border (for Kolkata), the Chilihari-Haldibari border (for Darjeeling) and the Tamabil-Dawki border (for Shillong). The crossing at Benapol is the easiest and most used. It is advisable to check when the frontier posts will be open. Conditions are likely to be difficult during the monsoon season. All other frontier posts between the two countries are currently closed. Overland travel is not currently possible between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Coach: A direct daily service has recently been introduced between Dhaka and Kolkata via Benapol. For further details, contact Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (tel: (2) 955 5553).

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Bangladesh without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco.
• two bottles of alcoholic beverages or one bottle if not traveling for tourist purposes (non-Muslims only).
• 250mL of perfume; gifts up to the value of Tk500.

Duty-free items may be bought at the duty-free shop at Dhaka Airport on arrival.

Prohibited Imports

Firearms and some animals.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Domestic services are operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines (www.biman-airlines.com), GMG Airlines (www.gmgairlines.com) and United Airlines (www.uabdl.com). Regular flights are run between Dhaka and several other main towns. These are cheap, and most routes are served at least two or three times a week. Airline buses connect with terminals.

Domestic airports include Barisal, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Jessore, Rajshahi and Sylhet.

Getting Around By Water

Major river ports:Barisal, Chandpur, Dhaka, Khulna, Mongla and Narayanganj.

The country has about 8,433km (5,240 miles) of navigable waterways and water transport, if a little slow, is the least expensive method of getting around Bangladesh. Passages should be booked well in advance; for details, contact local port authorities. River services are operated by the Bangladesh Inland Waterway Transport Corporation (tel: (2) 955 9779; www.biwtc.gov.bd), which runs ‘Rocket' ferries and launches on a number of routes. A ferry operates from Dhaka to Khulna six times a week (journey time - 28 hours). Ferries can often be dangerously overcrowded.

Getting Around By Rail

A slow but efficient network, operated by Bangladesh Railway (tel: (2) 935 8634; www.railway.gov.bd), is limited by the geography of the country, but river ferries (see Getting Around by Water above) provide through links. Services are being upgraded. However, trains still occasionally derail and passengers have been injured. The main line is Dhaka-Chittagong, with several daily trains, some of which have air-conditioned cars. An inter-city express service is available between main towns.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. Traffic is chaotic in urban areas and road safety is poor. There are frequent crashes caused by speeding and dangerous driving. Frequent river crossings make cross-country journeys lengthy.

Bus: The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (tel: (2) 955 5553; www.brtc.gov.bd) provides a countrywide network of bus services.

Taxi: Available at airports and major hotels. Fares should always be agreed upon first.

Car hire: Not recommended, although cars may be hired at Dhaka airport or from major hotels. It is better to hire a car with driver.

Documentation: International Driving Permit required. Minimum age is 18.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

There are bus services, which are usually very crowded and unreliable, in Dhaka, provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation. The Central Bus Station, known as Fulbaria or Gulistan, is on Station Road in the city center; there are several other terminals for long-distance services. Buses and bus stations do not generally have signs in English. There are also an estimated 10,000 independent ‘auto-rickshaw' 3-wheeler taxis (avoid night-time use) and cycle rickshaws are ubiquitous. Conventional taxis are also available.